Williams Indy Indiana Jones switch issues - automatically starting additional players mid-game

[MarkS]

So my Indy has generally been working fine but I have a recent issue that during a single game I noticed I suddenly had 2, 3 or 4 player games started. After watching to see how it was happening I realised it's being caused by the right outlane switches. In switch-edge test, I activate the top right outlane switch and get 3 switch activations:

BUY-IN BUTTON SW 12
START BUTTON SW 13
RIGHT OUTLANE TOP SW 18

When I activate the lower right outlane switch I get:

ADVENTU(R)E TRGT SW 52
ADVENTUR(E) TRGT SW 53
RIGHT OUTLANE BOT SW 58

I googled and found a couple of threads on Pinside that basically state this is caused by a faulty diode under the mini-playfield (a "known issue"), but I can't see the point in "fixing" something I don't understand or can't work out, else I won't learn anything

So I looked at the switch matrix and noticed both outlanes are row 8, and they are activating switches in rows 2 and 3 in their respective columns. So I then tested the other switches in row 8 and lo and behold they also trigger switches in rows 2 and 3... except for "Mini Bottom Right SW 78" which doesn't register at all.

So I assume I need to get to that switch which looks like involving removing the mini playfield (yikes)? But how could that switch not working affect the other switches like this? And is that my next logical step, get to that switch and check the wiring on it?

Thanks.

 

[strobey]

The issue you're taking about is common. The ball jumps out of the mode start eject and can hit the lower right mini pf switch.

The switch legs usually get bent and end up touching. It can also damage the diode.

You get see it pretty easily if you tilt the pf fully left.

Good luck!